The Richard Burk philosophy - pay attention to it

[Gaybutton]

Many of you remember Richard Burk, the late owner of the now long gone Amor restaurant in Boyztown. I've posted his advice many times over the years, and many times it turned out people should have taken heed:

"If you want love in Thailand, rent it."

The following story is by no means the first time this sort of thing has happened. Similar stories have happened many times over the years. Most of the time it has happened to older men who got involved with much younger Thai girls, and ended up scammed, heartbroken, and broke. It has happened to gay men too, but less often - at least less often than I know about.
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German man abandoned by young wife in Pattaya sparks public debate on foreign-Thai relationships

By Pattaya Mail

May 5, 2025

A German tourist was found stranded and in distress in the Jomtien area after reportedly being kicked out of his home by his Thai wife without explanation, according to local officials.

The incident occurred during routine patrols by the Jomtien district enforcement unit under the Policy and Planning Division of the Pattaya City Administration, operating under the directive of Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, who prioritizes the safety of all visitors in the city.

Officers responded quickly after receiving a report from a concerned citizen. Upon arriving at the scene, they found the man in a hopeless and dejected state. Initial questioning revealed that the man had been evicted by his Thai partner and now lacked shelter.

Pattaya municipal officers, together with local police and coordination from Pattaya Immigration and Tourist Police, provided initial assistance and pledged to continue supporting the man while assessing the next steps for his welfare.

The case has reignited long-standing public debate over foreign-Thai relationships, especially those involving significant age and cultural gaps. Social media users and local residents expressed mixed opinions — some sympathizing with the man, others criticizing the perceived pattern of poor judgment among certain foreign men who enter into relationships with much younger Thai women.

“I’ve lived here for 30 years. I’ve seen too many older foreign men fall for young women who end up scamming them,” one resident commented. “If they chose women their own age, they’d be less likely to be deceived.”

Other voices pointed to the vulnerability of both parties — noting that in some cases, foreign men themselves exploit local women or fabricate financial hardship to manipulate their Thai partners.

Some commenters also highlighted broader concerns unrelated to the incident, such as children being used to sell flowers late at night and the need for more active social protection and law enforcement.

While the German man’s case is not uncommon in tourist-heavy areas like Pattaya, it reflects deeper issues surrounding expectations, cultural misunderstandings, and power dynamics in cross-national relationships. Authorities continue to monitor such cases closely while encouraging visitors to exercise caution and awareness when engaging in long-term partnerships.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/german ... ips-499823
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This man was actually lucky in that he is getting help. Most of the time those who fell for this type of scam were just left to their own devices.

There is nothing that can be done about the woman involved. She broke no laws. Most likely this was her intention all along, but that won't help the victim.

An old friend of mine, passed away a few years ago, fell victim to a gay scam. I won't mention his name. Neither will you if you figure out who I'm talking about. If you do know who I mean, you can say you know who, but please - don't mention his name.

He had hooked up with a Thai boy who all of us knew was out to take him for everything he could and he mistreated the farang terribly, but the farang was blind to it and for a long time refused to believe any of it. Then, even when he realized what is going on, he still was giving everything he had to this boy. We tried to warn him and he would actually say "I know" but would continue anyway.

To make a very long story short - after abuse after abuse and after he sold his Pattaya condo because he needed the money, the boy wanted him to buy a house in Chiang Mai. Incredibly, even with all of his friends begging him not to do it, he bought the house - and paid cash with the money from the sale of the condo. Of course the house was in the boy's name - farang are not allowed to own houses in their own name in Thailand. He moved there, leaving his life and all his friends behind in Pattaya and without knowing anyone other than this boy.

It didn't take long after he had moved to that house for the relationship to end when he had no more money to give the boy. The boy threw him out despite the fact that he was in his eighties, was ill, and had nowhere to go.

He ended up in a convalescent home in Chiang Mai and it took his entire monthly Social Security benefit to pay for it. He died there and it was far from a pleasant death. Of course while he was there the boy never bothered to even visit him and at the funeral the boy was nowhere to be seen. No surprise there.

Folks, if you're really going to hook up with a boy to that extent and convince yourself "Not this boy - he's different" - I can only hope you will make sure you have protected yourself from becoming this kind of victim - because that's exactly what can happen.

Some farang have been lucky and did fall in with just the right boy, but unfortunately those relationships are the exception rather than the rule.

"Be careful out there among the English"
Jan Rubes (Eli Lapp), 'Witness'

[Jun]

Folks, if you're really going to hook up with a boy to that extent and convince yourself "Not this boy - he's different" - I can only hope you will make sure you have protected yourself from becoming this kind of victim - because that's exactly what can happen.

Some farang have been lucky and did fall in with just the right boy, but unfortunately those relationships are the exception rather than the rule.

Good advice.

Additionally, how do things things work with marriage in Thailand ?

In the UK, if you're married, expect to lose half your assets when divorced. Is it similar in Thailand ?

"If you want love in Thailand, rent it."

That's exactly what I've been doing and hopefully will continue to do.

[Gaybutton]

Additionally, how do things things work with marriage in Thailand ?

In the UK, if you're married, expect to lose half your assets when divorced. Is it similar in Thailand ?

Good question. I have no idea.

[Dodger]

I don't like working boys (or girls) who take advantage of gullible farang, but at the same time find it hard to blame them when a farang is throwing his money around like this.

Welcome to the Land-of-Obsessions.

My father taught me early-on that when the day comes for my first visit to Las Vegas just take enough money to donate to the casinos in exchange for having a great time. Don't expect to win...just expect to have fun...and have enough money leftover to return and do it all over again. Great advice!